DoD awards $44.9M to Boeing for aircraft parts, raising concerns over sole-source procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,942,272 ($44.9M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-05-11

End Date: 2022-07-18

Contract Duration: 433 days

Daily Burn Rate: $103.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 8508172358!PBL MATERIAL BOEING

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63134

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $44.9 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: 8508172358!PBL MATERIAL BOEING Key points: 1. Significant contract value awarded to a single large corporation. 2. Lack of competition raises questions about price reasonableness. 3. Potential for taxpayer overpayment due to sole-source award. 4. Focus on aircraft parts manufacturing within the defense sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $44.9M is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is reasonable compared to similar aircraft parts contracts. Further analysis of the specific parts and market rates is needed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning no other vendors were considered. This significantly limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award could result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these aircraft parts.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for essential aircraft components. Limited visibility into the pricing justification for this large award. Potential impact on the broader defense supply chain due to concentrated award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for overpricing

Positive Signals

  • Award to established defense contractor
  • Addresses critical defense needs

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector, a critical component of the defense industrial base. Spending in this area is often substantial, but competitive sourcing is key to efficiency.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to The Boeing Company, a large prime contractor, and there is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific award. This limits opportunities for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny from oversight bodies to ensure fair pricing and justification. Transparency in the procurement process is crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

  • Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Logistics Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source procurement
  • Lack of competitive bidding
  • Potential for inflated pricing
  • Limited transparency in award justification
  • No small business participation indicated

Tags

other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, mo, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $44.9 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. 8508172358!PBL MATERIAL BOEING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Logistics Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-11. End: 2022-07-18.

What specific aircraft parts were procured under this contract, and what is the justification for the sole-source award?

The contract is for 'PBL MATERIAL BOEING' and falls under 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing'. The justification for the sole-source award is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source awards are justified by factors such as unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Further investigation into the specific parts and the rationale behind not seeking competitive bids is necessary to assess value.

What is the risk of overpayment given the sole-source nature of this $44.9M contract?

The primary risk of overpayment stems directly from the sole-source award. Without competition, there is no market pressure to drive down prices. The government relies on the contractor's proposed pricing, which may not reflect the lowest achievable cost. This increases the likelihood that taxpayers are paying a premium for these aircraft parts, necessitating robust price analysis by the contracting agency.

How effective is the Department of Defense in ensuring competitive pricing for aircraft parts?

The effectiveness varies. While the DoD has policies encouraging competition, sole-source awards like this one indicate instances where competition is bypassed. The Defense Logistics Agency's reliance on sole-source procurement for certain parts suggests potential challenges in identifying competitive sources or specific justifications for avoiding it. Continuous monitoring and analysis of procurement methods are needed to gauge overall effectiveness in achieving competitive pricing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingOther Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6200 JS MCDONNELL BLVD, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63134

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,942,272

Exercised Options: $44,942,272

Current Obligation: $44,942,272

Actual Outlays: $24,395,584

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 35

Total Subaward Amount: $4,646,427

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SPRPA114D002U

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-05-11

Current End Date: 2022-07-18

Potential End Date: 2022-07-18 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2022-09-15

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